OR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE (continued from page 31) FABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR ABRICATOR • FOR THE FABRICATOR • FOR THE
The Countertop Shop
Connections Count An important part of the philosophy behind The Countertop Shop is making connections with peers, whether they are local, such as the Toledo Home Builders Association, Remodelers Association and the Regional Chamber of Commerce; or a larger national or even international peer group. “Because of our connections to area organizations, we feel confident we have a good idea about the local market,” said Langenderfer. “And as a board member of the Small Business Development Center at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and the vice president and president‐ elect of the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA), I am in touch on a regular basis with other fabricators and businesspeople from all around the country and even Europe.”
Photos by Rick Volkman
He notes that these connections allow the Langenderfers to help others in similar situations, but that the knowledge they bring are invaluable to his business. “By being members of those associations and organizations, we are able to give back to the community and the industry,” said Langenderfer. “But the biggest benefit of giving back is what we gain in return. Those groups hold us up and reinforce us. They often boost our morale. By hearing what is going on in the area and discussing the industry with our peers, we are encouraged that we are on the right track. By being able to share our experiences, opinions, advice and suggestions, we are able to make intelligent decisions and can try to avoid the problems and pitfalls that others have already experienced. “When you give your time and talent, you get it back in many ways,” he expounded. “I have never attended an ISFA event that I did not come home from with an idea that would make us money and/or a better company. I swear that my success today has a lot to do with what I’ve heard or learned at ISFA functions. The Million Dollar Mentor Program literally turned my business around. You truly get back more than you give, but you have to give to get a return. By giving my time as an ISFA board member, attending ISFA events and industry trade shows, I have been blessed with many friends in the industry and around the world. It’s our industry and we really need to be involved. If you want to be successful and grow your business, you need to surround yourself with successful people and ISFA is the place to do that.” The Business Today Today the company fabricates and installs everything from laminate to granite, including solid surface, quartz surfacing, recycled products, wood and even concrete countertops. The brands run the full gamut, including Cambria, DuPont Corian and Zodiaq, Silestone, LG HI-MACS and Viatera, Caesarstone, Hanstone, Formica, Gibraltar, Staron and Livingstone. It operates out of a 10,000-sq.-ft. building with about 2,000 sq. ft. used for office and showroom space, and is looking at the options to buy or build a larger facility. The Countertop Shop is currently producing about 60,000 sq. ft. of
32 • Vol. 5 / Issue 2 • International Surface Fabricators Association